Sermon Central
-
Commitment To God The Father Series
Contributed by Rule Digal on Apr 2, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: Our commitment and priority must first be to God. Some materials are taken from sermoncentral.com and higherpraise.com
Theme: COMMITTED TO THE FATHER
Text: 1 Corinthians 8: 6
Introduction
A. In our message last Sunday the closest disciple of Jesus, John the Beloved, told us what it means to be a committed follower of the Lord. It is to be committed to the claims of Jesus about Himself, committed to live as Jesus lived, and committed to the Mission and works of Jesus. If we compress that message into one thematic phrase it could be “Commitment to the Son.”
B. This time, we will talk about commitment to God the Father.
First of all, let’s look at what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 8: 6. He said: “…yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we live, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we live.” Paul is saying here that because of who God is, what He is, what He did and what He does, we should be fully committed to Him. And since only the Son of God knows the Father exactly and completely, it is through Christ that we know how to live our life for God’s glory. His word and example are crucial in understanding the real meaning of commitment to God the Father.
C. Now let’s consider several scriptures where our Lord Jesus Christ reveals to us the idea of how or what we should be fully committed to God the Father:
I. COMMITTED TO HIS GLORY
In Matthew 5: 16, Jesus says, “Let your light so shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Our Lord says here that as children of God we should be fully committed to live our life in a way that brings praise to our heavenly Father.
Today, too many people have gotten into thinking that they are great, that they are they are superior than others, that they are somebody, that they are the superstar –that life is about them. So they are committed for their own glory and fame. We’re watching T.V. shows like Filipino Idol, Pinoy Pop Superstar, Shall we dance, etc. It’s all about “Me.” The star. The singer. The dancer. The superior one.
But here, the Lord makes it clear that life is not about us. Life is about God, it’s about the Father who made us. We are originally and intentionally created for His glory. It means, no matter how good we get in life, no matter how good we are, it’s not about us, it’s about our heavenly Father. We should live in a way that brings glory to Him. We’re here for His glory. We’re here to bring Him glory.
Understanding this divine principle, Paul, the great apostle of Christ, admonished us that whatever we do, we must do it to the glory of God. Yes, even in simple things like eating and drinking, he told us to do them “to the glory of God” (1 Cor.10: 31).
Now, how do we live so as to bring glory to God?
Do what is right. Not what you think is right. Not what other people say is right. But what God says is right. Do what God says, and like the divine Son, obey God at all costs.
Live like His Son. Like Him, Jesus wants us to be a light and a salt of the earth. He wants us to let our light shine before men. Doing what is right and good in the eyes of God and men. We should go right on living the faith regardless of what people say, do or don’t do. Think what the Son of God did to glorify the Father:
He is the Bread of Life, yet He started His ministry hungry.
He is the Living Water, yet He ended His earthly life and ministry thirsty.
He is our Rest, yet He experienced being weary.
He is the King of kings, yet He paid tribute.
He casts out demons, yet He was accused of having a demon.
He wipes away our tears, yet He wept.
He is the Redeemer, yet He was sold for thirty pieces of silver.
He is the Shepherd, yet He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter.
He is the Life and He destroyed the power of death, yet He died.
He is our Joy and Comfort, yet He suffered.
He is the Lord, yet He came to serve.
Let’s be like Him –bringing glory to the Father. One preacher says, “We’re here for Him, to bring glory to Him, to point people to Him! Let your light shine before men!”
II. COMMITTED TO HIS FELLOWSHIP
In Matthew 6: 6-13, we find the teaching of our Lord about prayer. He teaches us here that prayer is not some religious ritual. Instead, prayer is a wonderful way to enjoy fellowship with our Heavenly Father.
